{"id":219097,"date":"2017-01-24T06:30:59","date_gmt":"2017-01-24T14:30:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/staging.tcpcharms.com\/bjpenn\/?p=219097"},"modified":"2017-01-24T06:30:59","modified_gmt":"2017-01-24T14:30:59","slug":"tyron-woodley-racism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.tcpcharms.com\/bjpenn\/mma-news\/tyron-woodley\/tyron-woodley-racism\/","title":{"rendered":"Tyron Woodley on racism: it\u2019s indirect most times, but sometimes it\u2019s blatant"},"content":{"rendered":"

Over the last few months, Tyron Woodley has generated dozens of headlines by claiming that, even as the UFC welterweight champion, he experiences racism on a frequent basis<\/a>. Some fans have responded to these claims by accusing him of “race-baiting”. Others have applauded him for shining a light on\u00a0these ugly issues which, to this day, have their claws embedded in North American culture.<\/p>\n

On a recent episode of The MMA Hour<\/a>, host Ariel Helwani gave Woodley the chance to elaborate on his recent comment<\/a>s. The champ did not hesitate to do so, explaining that he’d actually prepared notes for the interview so as to assure he articulated his points effectively.<\/p>\n

According to Woodley, racism is not always an overt thing. It is a more subtle form of racism that he experiences most often.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you look at the history of our sport \u2013 and it\u2019s not even our sport, the history of the American culture \u2013 certain things are subliminally embraced that are racist. When you say to me ‘Tyron, you are well spoken\u2019, what does that mean? Does that mean I\u2019m well spoken comparable to all the mixed martial artists, the 500 UFC fighters on\u00a0the roster? Or does that mean as a black male in America?”<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you say I\u2019m a freak athlete, does that mean I don\u2019t work hard, that I\u2019m going to fade in the later rounds? That I don\u2019t have great cardio, that I don\u2019t have a great skill set? It comes off to me… it almost sounds barbaric, like \u2018hey, you\u2019re strong, you knock people out, but if it gets to the later rounds you might get tired, you might fade and all those muscles come at a cost\u2019.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Woodley continued:<\/p>\n

\u201cThose fans have come over and brought that same ideology into our sport \u2013 they look at the African American athletes \u2013 and not only the fans, the judges. You might have a judge that can be looking at me and waiting for me to fatigue. Waiting on me retire. I\u2019ve listened to people broadcast my fights, [when]\u00a0I completely steamrolled Carlos Condit in the first round, and the broadcaster says \u2018lets watch the technique of Carlos Condit and the cardio of Tyron Woodley\u2019.”<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would you paint that picture when I completely dominated the individual in the round, why wouldn\u2019t you watch the butt-whipping I just put on my man, and see if [I] can do it again in the second and third round?”<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you say \u2018hey Tyron, I knew you in college, you were a freakish athlete\u2019, no I wasn\u2019t a damn freakish\u00a0athlete. I was a hard worker,” Woodley continued. “I was dedicated. I had a strong skill set, I had a strong will, I had a strong mindset and I wouldn\u2019t take no for an answer. That\u2019s why I was a great athlete, not\u00a0because I had this extra calve muscle, and I was extra strong because I was African American. That\u2019s a slap in my face. I have an issue with that, when people say \u2018watch Tyron in the later rounds\u2019.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe perception is there. I think it\u2019s indirect most times,\u00a0but sometimes it\u2019s blatant.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Finally, Woodley reiterated that this issue is so deep-seated in American culture, that many people don’t even notice it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the mindset of the American public, we\u2019re insensitive to these things that take place. We\u2019re insensitive that some people are discriminated on.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Woodley’s next fight will occur on March 4, in the main event of UFC 209, when he will defend his title in a rematch against Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson. The two fought to a draw in the co-main event of UFC 205<\/a>. While Woodley assured Helwani that he is focused on this upcoming title defense, he also affirmed that his fight against racism is not over, as he strives to set a good example for his kids, and effect change on whatever scale he’s able.<\/p>\n

What do you think of Tyron Woodley’s comments? Sound off, PENN Nation!<\/p>\n

This article first appeared on\u00a0<\/i>BJPenn.com<\/i><\/span><\/a>\u00a0on 1\/23\/2017.<\/i><\/p>\n